Meg dragged her feet into the gym. It was the first day back to school after Christmas Break and Principal Clayton was holding an assembly to welcome everyone back and talk about the upcoming events for the semester. Meg showed up early so she could avoid having to make her way through the crowd. She walked up the bleachers and sat down in the back corner. The rest of the students slowly started pouring in, talking excitedly about what they did over break. Meg rolled her eyes and slouched down. A group of cheerleaders gathered in front of the doors. They were talking loudly and Meg fought to keep from throwing one of her textbooks at them. Suddenly the doors flew open and someone pushed through the group of girls. They squealed and jumped back. Meg laughed to herself as her best friend, Hades, made his way up the bleachers. Hades was undoubtedly the meanest guy in school, and had been since junior high; which was how he earned the nickname Hades. No one remembered his real name.

"Nice," Meg said, nodding towards the cheerleaders.

Hades shrugged then leaned back, putting his hands behind his head. Meg didn't really like Hades, she was just using him. At the beginning of the school year a new student, Hercules, started attending Andalasia High School. He was strong and athletic, and easily landed the quarterback position on the football team. He led the team to victory game after game and quickly became the most popular guy in school. Every girl had been crazy about him, including Meg. She started dating Hercules and soon she was popular, too.

Everything was perfect until Homecoming. Naturally, Meg went to the dance with Hercules, but her girlfriends kept pulling her away from him so they could all dance together. When the dance ended, Meg went to look for Hercules. She couldn't find him anywhere in the gym. He drove her to the dance, so she decided to wait for him by his car. When she approached the car, Meg caught Hercules hooking up the head cheerleader in the backseat. Hercules did not care at all that he had hurt Meg. He said it was her fault for holding out on him. "Guys have needs," he had said. "And their girlfriends have to fulfill those needs, or we'll find another girl who will."

By the following Monday, everyone knew what happened. Hercules was now a legend, a hero, among the other guys at school and, for some reason, the girls still found him irresistibly good-looking and charming. But, everyone started treating Meg differently. The guys would call her crude names and laugh. The girls all pitied her and gossiped about her behind her back. Meg was now the center of negative attention. She wanted it to stop, so she befriended Hades and started hanging out with him. Everyone was afraid of Hades, and Meg knew if she was associated with him then no one would bother her, or even talk to her. She preferred it that way.

Principal Clayton started his speech and droned on for a while. Then a blonde senior approached the stadium. Helga Sinclair: beautiful, mysterious, sexy, tough, and the head cheerleader. She started gushing about the championship football game and the team, though she focused most of her praise on Hercules. The champion game had been two months ago, and Meg wished everyone would drop it. Helga called Hercules up to the podium and everyone cheered as he ran up to it. He pumped everyone up even more when he announced he would bring the wrestling team to victory, as well. Hercules then wrapped his arm around Helga and kissed her cheek. Meg gagged.

XXX

Rapunzel stood in front of the entrance to her first period History class with fellow cheerleader, Giselle.

"Wasn't Helga great this morning?" Rapunzel gushed. "She really knows how to get a crowd pumped up!"

"She is head cheerleader," Giselle said.

Rapunzel's eyes lit up. "I want to be head cheerleader next year so bad. I've been doing extra training, and really putting in my best effort. Do you think Helga has noticed?"

Giselle smiled. "I'm sure she has. No one on the squad works harder than you do."

Before Rapunzel could respond, someone came up behind them and cleared their throat. Rapunzel turned around was face-to-face with Meg.

"Do you always have to block the entrances?" Meg muttered as she pushed her way between them and went into the classroom.

Rapunzel shrugged off Meg's negative energy and walked into the classroom as well. Meg plopped down at a desk in the back. Rapunzel smiled at her, but Meg only narrowed her eyes at her. Giselle had chosen a desk in the front row and Rapunzel sat down next to her. She was glad to have Mr. Thatch for History again this semester; his teaching methods were more unconventional than the other teachers. Every lesson felt like they were going on an adventure back in time. Mr. Thatch stumbled into the classroom, struggling with books and papers. Rapunzel quickly got up and helped him carry some of his stuff to his desk. He smiled at her and thanked her. She said you're welcome and eagerly returned to her desk. Mr. Thatch began his lesson and Rapunzel started writing everything down with her purple gel pen. (Why the gel pen craze died out, she had no idea.) When the bell rang, everyone gathered up their stuff and made their way out to the hallway. Rapunzel stayed behind and went up to Mr. Thatch.

"That was a great lesson, Mr. Thatch," she beamed. "I look forward to tomorrow's class."

Mr. Thatch once again thanked her. She smiled brightly at him, and then headed to her second period math class with Mr. Crane.

XXX

Ariel got to her math class early and chose a seat in one of the center rows, but off to the side. Math was definitely not her strong subject and she wanted to stay out Mr. Crane's line of vision so he wouldn't randomly call on her to answer a question. Rapunzel walked into the classroom and quickly waved at Ariel before taking a seat in the front row. Ariel's best friend, Charlotte, was on the cheerleading squad with Rapunzel, and Ariel would sometimes go to the practices after school to watch to support her best friend. Ariel and Rapunzel would greet each other if they saw each other in the hall or had a class together, but they weren't necessarily friends.

Mr. Crane closed the door as soon as the bell rang, and promptly started class. He had a very monotone voice, and Ariel almost immediately started spacing out. She couldn't wait for school to be over so she could go to choir. Today they would be getting the new music for the next choir concert and Ariel was excited to see what songs Mrs. Rabbit had selected. The only thing Ariel was not looking forward to was the duet. Ariel was one of the best singers in choir, along with Snow White. Snow White was very confident in her singing and always got the solos. Snow White was a beautiful singer, but the choir director thought Ariel was more talented than Snow White. Mrs. Rabbit always encouraged Ariel to go for the solos, but Ariel was too shy. So, Mrs. Rabbit always partnered Ariel up with Snow White for a duet. She hoped it would relax Ariel and give her the confidence to sing a solo. So far, it had not worked, but Mrs. Rabbit would not give up on Ariel.

Ariel felt self conscious around Snow White. Snow White was one of those girls who were always nice and super sweet to everyone; but, she was also very competitive. Whenever Ariel sang with her, Snow White made her feel small. Mrs. Rabbit insisted it was because Snow White knew Ariel was a better singer and felt threatened by her. Ariel wasn't sure if she believed that, but either way Snow White was good at keeping Ariel down a peg.

The bell rang, bringing Ariel out of her trance. She scooped up all of her stuff and ducked out of the classroom.

XXX

Esmeralda drummed her fingers on her desk as she studied the notes Mr. Thatch had left up on the dry erase board. She decided she better start writing it all down now. She really liked her History class, but her mind always wandered and she had trouble focusing on anything. Esmeralda reached into her backpack, and realized she forgot all of her History stuff. Luckily her locker was just across the hall from the classroom. She got up and quickly hurried out the door. In her haste, Esmeralda ran into Ariel, knocking her stuff on the floor.

"I'm sorry," Esmeralda said, as she helped Ariel pick up her stuff.

Esmeralda fumbled with her lock; she couldn't remember the combination. After a couple attempts, she finally got it right. She grabbed a pen off the top shelf and wrote the combination on the palm of her hand. Just then the bell rang. Esmeralda threw the pen back in her locker, grabbed her History notebook and textbook, slammed the locker shut and ran back into the classroom. Mr. Thatch was busy trying to organize his desk and didn't notice Esmeralda come in late. She sighed in relief and sank down in her seat. Not that it would have mattered if he had seen her. Mr. Thatch always said that within five minutes is still on time and never marked anyone tardy, unless they were more than five minutes late.

Esmeralda quickly copied down the notes, and then let herself start daydreaming. It was cut short, however, when someone tapped on her shoulder. She turned around and was greeted with a smile by Naveen. Naveen was a senior, but failed History last year and had to retake it this year.

"Hey, Esmeralda," Naveen whispered. "My parents will be out late tonight. Do you wanna come over for a little bit?"

Esmeralda smiled at him. "Sure."

Naveen winked at her and she turned back around. Esmeralda didn't really know Naveen very well. She hooked up with him once after a football game, but that was as the extent of their relationship. Over the past summer, Esmeralda's body fully developed. She had a new confidence. She could suddenly get guys to do anything she wanted and she loved it. Of course, after a while, guys started expecting her to sleep with them. Esmeralda was flattered that all the guys wanted her. Afraid that would change, she started sleeping around. Esmeralda was surprised to find she actually enjoyed it. Of course, rumors started to spread. The other girls at the school said Esmeralda had a bad reputation, but she didn't care what they thought. She liked sex, and she was not ashamed of it. In fact, she had become really good friends with some of the guys she slept with, and they looked out for her.

When class ended, Naveen walked Esmeralda to the cafeteria, and bought her lunch. She thanked him, and joined her best friend, Jasmine, at their usual table.

XXX

Jasmine said a quick hello to Esmeralda, then went back to her drawing.

"What are you working on?" Esmeralda asked, taking a bite of her pizza.

"Sketching some ideas for the new dance costumes."

Esmeralda raised an eyebrow. "Sketching? Jasmine, you can't even draw stick people…"

Jasmine sighed. "I know. I'm just getting the ideas out. I'll find someone who can actually do the sketches and make the costumes. Do you know anyone who can do that?"

"I think that cheerleader, Giselle, designs her own clothes."

Jasmine nodded. She continued drawing, and absent-mindedly stabbed at her salad. This year Jasmine was chosen as Dance Team Captain. It was the first time in the history of Andalasia High School that a senior was not chosen. The Dance Team was good, but had never won a competition. Jasmine was determined to prove herself to everyone, and help the team finally win. They didn't really need new costumes, but Jasmine thought they could use a new look. She wanted to completely transform the team. Jasmine and Esmeralda both joined the team freshman year, and everything was still exactly the same; same routines, same costumes, same music.

"Hey, Jasmine!"

Jasmine looked up, closing her notebook. A guy she didn't recognize winked at her. She smiled at him and winked back. Jasmine had a similar body type to Esmeralda and got a lot of attention from guys as well. But, unlike Esmeralda, Jasmine was still a virgin. She was waiting for the right guy. However, Jasmine liked the attention, too. So, in order to keep the attention and not have to actually sleep with anyone, she told them she only hooks up with college guys. Esmeralda was the only one in the whole school who knew the truth.

Suddenly, a paper airplane hit Esmeralda in the side of the head. She picked it up and read the message inside. She laughed and held it up so Jasmine could see it. The word "Slut" was written in big pink letters.

"I don't know why these girls are so negative when it comes to sex. They're all gonna do it eventually. I just got a head start." Esmeralda crumpled up the paper and set it on her lunch tray.

The bell rang then. Jasmine threw away her uneaten salad and headed to her fourth period History class.

XXX

Pocahontas walked into her History class a couple minutes late. All the seats were taken except one next to Jasmine. She quickly took her seat and smiled at Jasmine. Jasmine smiled back at her. Mr. Thatch started his lesson a few minutes later. He started writing notes on the board, but was interrupted by a girl sitting in the front row. At first, Pocahontas didn't recognize the girl, but when she started talking her high-pitched voice gave her away. Snow White. Pocahontas did not like her at all. Snow White had a false kindness, but really looked down on everyone. Pocahontas didn't like when someone thought they were better other people. She believed that all living things were equal: people, trees, animals. That's why she got a job at the local animal shelter. Pocahontas fought for the defenseless. She spent all of her free time protecting and helping animals.

Pocahontas' best friend, Sally, also worked at the shelter. Sally was the sweetest person anyone could ever meet. But because Sally dressed like-what most high school students would label as- a goth, she was misunderstood and a lot of the students were afraid of her. Pocahontas' boyfriend, John Smith, used to be a little hesitant about Sally as well. But, recently, Sally really helped out John's half brother, Thomas, by getting him a job at the animal shelter with them. Since then John has become a lot more relaxed around her.

Pocahontas opened her History book and started reading the chapter. Mr. Thatch was a great teacher, but sometimes he could be kinda scatter-brained and would go off on tangents, especially when someone interrupted him (like Snow White had been doing all period), so it was hard to understand his lessons.

Pocahontas finished the chapter before Mr. Thatch finished his lesson. She pulled out her schedule and groaned silently when she saw she had math next period. She hated math more than any other subject and Mr. Crane liked to randomly call on students who he knew didn't know the answer. She hoped Belle would be in her class. Belle always raised her hand before he could get a chance to pick on someone. Plus, she would take her own notes, instead of his, and hers were always easier to understand.

The bell rang, and Pocahontas slowly walked down the hall praying that Belle would be in her math class.

XXX

Mr. Crane droned on as he wrote on the board. He very rarely turned around to address the class, and Belle was glad. She really wasn't in the mood for math. Belle started tutoring after school last semester and had been completely booked. This semester she had more students signed up and she needed figure out a way to fit them all in, and still have time to do her own homework.

Pocahontas passed Belle a note.

Belle, can I copy your notes in study hall next period?

Belle wrinkled her nose. She forgot all about having to take notes. She pulled out her notebook and quickly started taking notes on what Mr. Crane had on the board. Belle didn't know why Mr. Crane always had to make things more difficult than they actually were. Most of the students who came to Belle for tutoring needed help with Mr. Crane's math homework.

Belle was lucky that she was a fast learner; it was how she was able to earn money tutoring. Everyone thought she was really smart because she read a lot, but that wasn't true. Belle mostly read novels about fantasy and adventure. She didn't just study all the time, contrary to popular belief. She learned things quickly as they were being taught to her and she could simplify it for other people. Once she had a test on something, she forgot it all. She had to stay up late cramming for finals just like everybody else. She wasn't like her fellow tutors Jane Porter and Tiana. They were both wicked smart and competing for valedictorian.

Belle's best friend, Aurora, was really smart, too. But, she spent more time rehearsing for school plays than on homework, so she was getting average grades. But, in all honesty, sometimes Aurora had to explain stuff to Belle. Belle figured Aurora just memorized her books like she memorized play scripts. Belle smiled to herself as she pictured her best friend reading a textbook with her memorizing look on her face; her left eyebrow raised, while she bit the right side of her bottom lip.

When class ended, Belle rushed out of the classroom to meet up with Aurora for last period study hall.

XXX

Aurora and Belle walked into the study hall area. It wasn't a big room, only about thirty desks and they were set on tiers. Aurora led Belle up to a couple desks in the top row, so she could see who came in. Belle immediately pulled out some of her homework. Aurora leaned forward and rested her chin in her palm. She didn't bring any homework with her. She preferred to get her work done at home and use study hall to socialize. Their study hall teacher was Miss Kida. Miss Kida was a very laid back teacher and let everyone do whatever they wanted, as long as it didn't break any school rules. Miss Kida was married to Mr. Thatch, but she didn't want anyone to really associate her with him (in case they would think she was as flighty as him), so she wanted to be addressed by her first name. Principal Clayton thought it was disrespectable for students to call teachers by their first names, so she had everyone call her Miss Kida.

Aurora sat up and smiled as her boyfriend of two years, Philip, walked into the study hall. He was talking to his best friend, Eric, and didn't see her at first. But when he did see her, he smiled at her and ran up the tiers to her. He leaned over her desk and kissed her, then took the seat in front of her. Eric joined them, sitting down in front of Belle. Belle barely glanced up as they both greeted her.

When Aurora saw Ariel walk in, she called her over. Ariel smiled and took the seat on the other side of Aurora. Aurora and Ariel usually met up in the music room after choir and drama club to practice together.

Aurora grabbed Ariel's hand. "Please tell me you know what the spring musical is gonna be."

Ariel look confused. "How would I know that?"

"Because you're Mrs. Rabbit's favorite student."

Ariel blushed. "I'm not-"

"Yes you are!" Aurora said, excitedly.

"Well, I don't know what it is. But I'll ask her today in choir."

Aurora smiled at her. "Thank you so much, Ariel."

A/N: Sorry this was so long, I just wanted to get all the main characters introduced in the first chapter. Of course, I don't own any of the characters in this story.